Markus Schairer (AUT) races to best time in time trials at Montafon -

FIS

Today's qualification day for the season's first snowboard cross World Cup event was all about struggling with the weather.

Due to snow fall, wind and fog, Race Organisers, teams staff and riders had to stay patient over the whole day hoping to get at least the men's qualification completed, which was originally scheduled for 10:30 AM.

It finally kicked off around 14:40 after several delays. And it turned out that the decision to wait as long as possible paid off.

72 men flew down the course in perfect conditions with the sun coming out, the wind calming down and the snowfall stopping.

But the weather conditions changed too late to also squeeze in the women before sunset. The women's qualifiers will be staged tomorrow morning at 10:10 CET and thus prior to the finals which will kick off at 13:00 CET (live on ORF and Europsport) – however, it just worked out fine for the men.

Much to the joy of the Austrian fans, local hero Markus Schairer, who finished last year's Montafon SBX in second place, posted the best time in 57.09 seconds, one second faster than Canada's Kevin Hill (58.11)

While Stian Sivertzen (NOR) was expected in third position (58.21), the 2013 World Championships Bronze medalist was followed by underdogs Mick Dierdorff (USA, 58.45) and Shinya Momono (JPN, 58.58).

Contrary to those two racers who had nailed it on the course at Seebliga, other big names didn't such as all-time threat to the podium Pierre Vaultier (FRA) who missed the cut of the top-48 just like reigning Junior World Champion from Spain, Lucas Eguibar.

Holland injured his shoulder during yesterday's training and was diagnosed with a broken collarbone. According to team representatives, the two-time Olympian hasn't buried his hopes of making it to the Olympics yet.